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Massena lands FLW fishing tournament on par with Bassmaster Elite for Sept. 2019

Posted 8/15/18

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA -- The Town of Massena in September 2019 will host one of the largest fishing organizations in the world for a tournament on the scale of Bassmaster Elite, the Town Council …

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Massena lands FLW fishing tournament on par with Bassmaster Elite for Sept. 2019

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Town of Massena in September 2019 will host one of the largest fishing organizations in the world for a tournament on the scale of Bassmaster Elite, the Town Council decided on Wednesday evening.

The event will be hosted by Fishing League Worldwide.

Don Meissner, a local pro angler who helped first bring Bassmaster Elite to the North Country in 2013, will fundraise.

"They said every one of their events brings $1.5 million to the local economy," Meissner told the board. "That figure is not based on the spectators."

He said FLW will send 300 anglers in 150 boats out of the Massena Intake.

"They will launch in Massena. They will come back every night for their fanfare," he said.

"Bottom line is, it's a money maker," according to Meissner. "I think the biggest significance is is you get the FLW coming here, it generates so much buzz about Massena."

He said he will have to fundraise $17,500 to bring the tournament and come up with 45 rooms for their staff. By comparison, Bassmaster Elite charges $60,000 and needs 100 rooms, Meissner said.

Town Council members prior to their vote were concerned about receiving the proposal with little notice. Councilor Tom Miller said he was notified 10 days ago.

"I'm shocked we're getting this at such late notice and expected to pay for it. It's not the way I would envision us developing our community development, Town Supervisor Steve O'Shaughnessy said prior to the motion passing, which did not include any contribution from the town. "I wouldn't be comfortable approving something like this."

Councilor Sam Carbone said he was initially concerned by "a lot of unknowns," but later changed his tune and voted in favor of bringing FLW to Massena.

"I think there's possibility to raise the funds. We helped Waddington with their fishing tournament, they should help us with ours, and so should the other towns ... maybe the county, FISHCAP," he said.

"The Elite thing came about the same way (in 2013). I got a call from down south," Meissner said. "FISHCAP board said yes, they'll do this, and then they backed out of it.

"Waddington would not sign the letter of intent."

The town will be responsible for security. Miller suggested state troopers, county sheriff deputies and local police may be able to handle it like they do with Elite.

As soon as the town board's motion passed, Meissner left to notify FLW officials that the town wants them to come up next year.